Articles by Paddi MacDonnell

One of the biggest trends right now is animation. It's smaller than video, more engaging than still images, and the range of talent worldwide seems to grow daily. Just a couple of years ago, web animation meant Flash, and when Flash lost credibility...

I dare say that many of us are interested in the nuts and bolts of how things work. I know I was fascinated by the exposed interior of my first iMac back in the 00s. I’m not sure I’d go so far as to actually take my computer to pieces though, certainly...

The most frustrating aspect of web design for designers trained for print, is the persistent lack of typographic control. Careful typographic choices are the hallmark of quality work and the lack of that quality online never ceases to be jarring...

Companies spend thousands on logos and branding aimed at putting a positive gloss over their products. But what if the downsides couldn't be hidden in the small print or conveniently omitted, and had to be up front in the branding? Viktor Hertz,...

If Bill Shakespeare is to be believed, eyes are the windows to the soul. Designed to look outwards, looking into them reveals a person’s deepest emotions. The same might be said of windows. Built to provide light, and scenic views for the occupants...

Even the most creative mind needs a bit of left-brain order sometimes. While more work is what every freelancer and business wants because it means more earnings, it can also mean more stress, more admin and less time to spare. The answer is planning:...

Good typography is an art: choosing the best type to complement the meaning of the content, balancing sizes and spacing for optimum readbility, and not drawing attention to itself in the process. But now designers and artists are increasingly...

The first question to ask, is do you really need to send Christmas cards to your clients and business contacts, and if so why? The answer is 'yes', and for very good reasons. Leaving aside 'the spreading good cheer' aspect, sending holiday greetings...

Taking an entire movie and translating it into a single image is not an easy job. Identifying the elements which best represent 90 to 160 minutes of dialogue, action, character development and photography then reducing that down to its simplest...

There are just 12 days until Christmas! If you're still struggling to find that perfect gift for the designer/developer in your life, or if your loved ones could do with a few helpful hints, here are some suggestions sure to earn you (or them)...

W.C. Fields famously said 'Never work with children or animals' and there are numerous blooper reels around to show just how difficult it can be to work with kids. It can be just as difficult to produce work for kids: they are a very tough audience,...

After a packed summer of seminars, inspirational talks, and crowd-pleasing predictions, we've reached the tail end of the conference season. October is the time your boss expects you to get started putting some of that new found knowledge...